Noor Ali Zadran: "Afghanistan's batting needs more partnerships to contribute"

Noor Ali replaced the injured Mohammad Shahzad in the playing eleven and looked solid at the top of the Afghan order alongside Hazratullah Zazai

Afghanistan batsman Noor Ali Zadran has reflected on his side’s collapse against New Zealand on Saturday, bemoaning a failure to build partnerships through the middle overs.

After being put in to bat by Black Caps skipper Kane Williamson, Afghanistan got off to flying start, with Noor Ali and Hazratullah Zazai taking the game to their opposition in entirely opposing styles.

Noor Ali, in for wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Shahzad, who has been replaced in the squad due to a knee injury, caressed the ball around Bristol, looking solid throughout.

Zazai, meanwhile, played in the fearless manner that has endeared his talents to the watching crowds in Afghanistan’s opening three games.

However, after he carved Jimmy Neesham to deep cover to end a 66-run opening stand, Noor Ali fell just two balls later as his side fell away dramatically. Four wickets fell for the addition of just four runs, with 66 without loss becoming 70 for four.

“If you play against top teams like New Zealand, they will be coming at you hard,” Noor Ali said. “Luckily, we had a good start here but unfortunately, we lost quick wickets in the middle after that.

“We need more small partnerships to contribute and get us towards a total of 250, 270 or something like that.

“The batsmen are not getting their rhythm or in a good partnership. That’s why we couldn’t manage to play 50 overs. We need to bat better.

“Sometimes we’re batting well in the opening, sometimes in the middle overs but it needs to be perfect for the next matches.”

^{Noor Ali Zadran was the second man to be dismissed as Afghanistan lost three wickets with the score on 66.}

The right-arm duo of Jimmy Neesham and Lockie Ferguson did the majority of the damage for New Zealand, taking nine wickets between them. After the opening pair, only Hashmatullah Shahidi, who made a gutsy 59 from 99 deliveries, showed any real resistance.

Noor Ali also played down the significance of two separate rain delays, which restricted his side’s fluency at the crease.

“The rain didn’t make any difference to us,” he added. “Every team when they play in England, the first thing they prepare for is the weather. There will be rain and the match will be off and on.

“If there is rain and you are off and on, your mind will be still be on cricket in the dressing room, wherever we are going on match day.”

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